The United States, European Union, U.N. Security Council and prominent diplomats worldwide strongly condemned the ramming attack on the Armon Hanatziv promenade in Jerusalem Sunday, which killed four Israeli soldiers and wounded 15 others. The IDF named the victims as Lt. Yael Yekutiel, 20, from the central Israeli city of Givatayim; and cadets Shir Hajaj, 22, from the Jerusalem suburb of Maaleh Adumim; Shira Tzur, 20, from Haifa; and Erez Orbach, 20, from Alon Shvut, southwest of Jerusalem. One of the cadets wounded in the attack is in critical condition. Doctors at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem said Monday they feared for her life, and that she was sedated and intubated in the hospital's intensive care unit. On Monday, four soldiers remained hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem. One soldier was in serious but stable condition, another was in moderate condition, and two soldiers were under observation with minor injuries. Four soldiers suffering from minor injuries were treated at Shaare Zedek and released within a few hours. The hospital also treated some 30 people who suffered shock. The ramming attack took place at 1:20 p.m., as 300 soldiers, cadets in an IDF officers' training course, were disembarking buses ahead of a tour of the Old City. As the cadets were being divided into groups, a truck driven by Fadi al-Qanbar, 28, a resident of the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber, sped toward one of the groups and hit the soldiers. Qanbar then reversed, hitting his victims again. An officer, two cadets and a civilian opened fire at the truck, killing Qanbar. Police and Shin Bet security agency raided Qanbar's Jabel Mukaber home and detained his wife, parents and two siblings for questioning. His sister told Palestinian media she was "proud" of his actions and "grateful Allah has chosen him to die as a shahid [martyr]." 'No justification for such a crime' "We condemn in the strongest possible terms today's horrific vehicular attack by a terrorist in Jerusalem," the U.S. State Department said in a statement. "There is absolutely no justification for these brutal and senseless attacks. We condemn the glorification of terrorism now or at any time and call on all to send a clear message that terrorism must never be tolerated." Vice President Joe Biden tweeted, "I strongly condemn today's cowardly terrorist attack in Jerusalem and pray for the victims, the wounded, and their families." U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro tweeted, "I vehemently condemn the terror attack in Jerusalem in which IDF troops were killed. Condolences to the families and prayers for recovery to those injured." The European Union said: "The EU condemns the murder of these four young Israelis, as well as any praise or incitement for terrorist acts. There can be no justification for such a crime. The EU will continue to work with those who seek peace and denounce those who pursue violence and terror." EU Ambassador to Israel Lars Faaborg-Anderson strongly denounced the attack, saying there was "no justification for such a crime." The U.N. Security Council also denounced the attack, saying its members "strongly condemn the terror attack in Jerusalem. The members of the U.N. Security Council express our deep sorrow and send our condolences to the families. Terrorism in all its forms and expressions is one of the most serious threats that endangers peace and security." U.N. special envoy to the Middle East Nickolay Mladenov condemned the attack and those who praised it, and sent his condolences to the victims' families. "It is reprehensible that some choose to glorify such acts, which undermine the possibility of a peaceful future for both Palestinians and Israelis," Mladenov said. "There is nothing heroic in such actions." He urged all parties to "condemn violence and incitement, maintain calm and to do everything they can to avoid further escalation." French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault issued a statement condemning that "horrific attack in Jerusalem. ... In this painful moment, France stands -- as always -- in solidarity with Israel. It places itself on Israel's side in its fight against terrorism and for securing its safety." The French Consulate in Jerusalem tweeted, "Horror and indignation after truck terror attack on the Haas promenade." French Ambassador to Israel Helene Le Gal expressed "horror and total solidarity" with Israel after learning of the attack. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted, "Canada stands firmly with Israel in condemning today's horrific terrorist attack. Our thoughts are with the victims' families and the injured." British Minister for the Middle East and Africa Tobias Ellwood tweeted, "I utterly condemn the attacks in Jerusalem. My thoughts are with victims and their families." Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende expressed his "most sincere condolences to the families of the killed and my thoughts to the victims and their loved ones." British Ambassador to Israel David Quarrey tweeted that "there can be no justification for terrorism anywhere," adding that his thoughts were with the victims and their families. Australian Ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma tweeted that he condemns "unreservedly the vicious Jerusalem terrorist ramming attack targeting IDF soldiers." Deputy Turkish Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said, "We once again denounce a terrorist attack in Jerusalem. Humanity demands the world's nations unite against terrorism."
Lt. Yael Yekutiel's funeral was held at the Kiryat Shaul Military Cemetery in Tel Aviv on Sunday afternoon. Cadet Shir Hajaj was laid to rest Sunday at the National Military Cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. Cadet Shira Tzur was laid to rest Sunday at the Haifa Military Cemetery. Cadet Erez Orbach's funeral was held at the Kfar Etzion Cemetery.
